(HBO) - With many years of experience in developing Vuon-ao-chuong (garden-pond-livestock pen) model, in which gardening, fish rearing and animal husbandry are integrated, Bui Thi Ly who resides in Ao U hamlet, Nhan My commune (Tan Lac district) has shifted from planting rice to other kinds of crops and vegetable. Realising the potential of aloe vera which can bring high economic efficiency, she decided to invest in the cultivation of this plant.
The aloe vera garden of Bui Thi Ly's family in Ao U hamlet, Nhan My commune (Tan Lac district) is about to be harvested for the first time.
There are only five households in the commune engaging in growing aloe vera with a total of 13,000 plants, Ly said, adding that her family has 5,000. Aloe vera is a drought-resistant plant and easier to tend than rice and other crops.
Growers get loan support from the Viet Phap Company which also sends technicians to guide people on how to grow and care for the plants, monitor diseases and the development process of the plants. The company also pledges to buy all the products.
After six months, aloe vera plants are ready for the first harvest. After that, they can be harvested once a month. Aloe vera leaves are purchased by the company at 2,500 VND a kilogramme. Profits from 5,000 plants of aloe vera can reach 100-120 million VND (4,258-5,110 USD) a year.
Ly said seeing the profit that the plant brought about, her family plans to expand the farming area to reap higher economic efficiency in the future.
Aloe vera is a plant with multiple benefits. Its leaves may help with digestion, treatment of skin conditions and high blood pressure and diabetes.
Although it is easy to grow and care for and brings economic efficiency, aloe vera is new to farmers in the locality, so the development of this type of plant still faces many difficulties. As aloe vera is planted spontaneously and on a small scale, the supply source of the product is unstable.
Bui Van Luyen, Chairman of Nhan My Commune’s People's Committee said that in the coming time, the commune will guide local people to expand the aloe vera cultivation area because this plant is suitable for local natural conditions. It is expected to bring higher economic efficiency than other crops and help improve farmers’ incomes, thereby reducing poverty.
Bui Van Tan, Vice Chairman of the commune People's Committee said that Ly is one of the outstanding farmers who is always brave and diligent in finding ways to develop new plant varieties for high economic efficiency, adding that she is a bright example for farmers in the locality to follow./.
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